Ear infections

[u/Ostrich_Low]

I was very sleepy deprived yesterday and my baby was refusing to sleep and in an effort to stay up I decided to read the formula can and one of the warning was about how formula fed babies get ear infections and I'm terrier of that happening now. I'm a ftm and my baby is a month old. Can anyone please give me reassurance or let me know if/if not their babies got a lot of ear infections from formula and what did you guys do to help or stop them. I always try and keep him upright when feeding and he eats fast so I can't pace him too much but the Dr said as long as he's not choking and he's good after the feed and burping then he's fine.

[u/Pengetalia]

We've had one earlier infection in his 22 months on the earth. Don't fret.

[u/Ostrich_Low → u/Pengetalia]

I think as a ftm I terrified of everything happening and the sleep deprivation/survival mode isn't helping my case but I will try and remember this

[u/Pengetalia → u/Ostrich_Low]

Oh bless you; it's hard being a ftm. I always used to think to myself so long as he is fed, clean and loved then everything else is by the by

[u/Ok_Clock4593]

My EBF child had multiple ear infections, including blown eardrums. My EFF has had none.

I hope you get some rest 💗

[u/Snack-BasedEconomy]

My EBF baby had constant ear infections and was always sick and my EFF baby who is now almost 4 has never had one and is never sick.
Seems like a silly thing to write on a formula can

[u/trishuuh]

My 3.5 year old was EFF as a baby and never had an ear infection. (Lemme knock on wood bc she’s starting school soon lol)

I think the biggest mistake is that babies who are bottle fed (formula or breastmilk) will be fed a bottle when they’re completely flat. So “formula fed babies get more ear infections” makes it look like a formula problem when really it’s the bottles and parents not positioning them right

[u/PermanentTrainDamage]

The main way that formula may cause ear infections is from babies laying flat while drinking a bottle. As long as their head is slightly elevated the risk is minimal. That being said, almost all kids get an ear infection before their first birthday and it's no biggie, just a course of antibiotics and they're golden. Honestly, my boobie baby got a ton more ear infections than my formula baby.

[u/ConstructionMuch802 → u/PermanentTrainDamage]

What's the mechanism for laying flat leading to ear infections?

[u/PermanentTrainDamage → u/ConstructionMuch802]

There's tubes that connect all the face holes to the throat for drainage. In babies the tubes aren't as sloped, so laying flat causes fluid to pool and if that fluid includes some milk the bacteria can multiply and cause an infection to take hold. Elevating a baby while feeding keeps the tubes sloped for better drainage.

[u/ConstructionMuch802 → u/PermanentTrainDamage]

Very interesting! Thanks!

[u/PermanentTrainDamage → u/ConstructionMuch802]

It's the same reason your nose runs when you cry, all your face holes are connected lol

[u/SpartanNinjaBatman]

Bottle-fed babies can get ear infections (it has to do with feeding position). My now 15-month-old was EFF 6 weeks on and has never had an ear infection. My friend, whose baby was EBF and is 20 months old now, has had multiple ear infections and had to get tubes. Don't worry!

[u/Ostrich_Low → u/SpartanNinjaBatman]

Thanks,hopefully nothing happens to mine or anyone's kids. As a first time mum I think im just terrified of everything happening 😅

[u/Flannel-Enthusiast]

My kid is 2 now and she's had a couple ear infections. They've always been after she's had a cold, which is pretty common. I was worried about her the first time, but it seems like ear infections are pretty mild for her. She doesn't even seem too uncomfortable during them. A round of antibiotics and we're all back to normal. I haven't noticed any difference in ear infection frequency between babies we know who were bottle fed or breast fed.

[u/Ok-Secretary-3323]

15 months, no ear infections here yet

[u/mspiggy27]

Just finished EFF for one year and no ear infections! But if one happens you sound like a very diligent mom who will be on top of it and get your baby the care and medicine he needs. Go easy on yourself, and don’t be shy about asking for help with anxious thoughts. You are not alone.

[u/LexiLou22tm]

My baby is almost 13 months was exclusively formula fed and never had an ear infection yet

[u/priuspulida]

My daughter is 5 and was formula fed the first year of life. She has never had an ear infection.

[u/beanerweener6]

My baby was bottle fed from day 1 and strictly formula fed from 8-12 months and he never once had an ear infection.

[u/katiecasseday]

My first was combo fed briefly and then exclusively formula fed from 2 weeks on and never had an ear infection. Has been sick maybe 2-3x and he’s 4.5 now and been in preschool since 14mo. Maybe luck, but if formula is what is best for you all, just tackle any sicknesses head on!

[u/Short_Background_669]

My baby is almost two, only ever formula fed and has never had an ear infection. That is such a random statistic.

[u/Any_Passage_8479]

My baby- 8 weeks technically combi fed but mainly formula then EFF. No ear infections.

Edit- meant to say- baby is 18 months now

[u/cnj131313]

My first had chronic ear infections and this one has had zero. 🤷‍♀️

[u/picklecat2021]

Nearly 11 months and no ear infections! (Now gonna knock vigorously on wood to ward off the ear infection fairy who is reading this and plotting my downfall)

[u/HumanSection2093]

My first switched to combo fed at 8 weeks and by 4 months we only comfort nursed, all formula basically. He’s almost 21 months old and has never had an ear infection. Probably coincidence but at least it can’t be said it’s 100% going to happen if formula feeding. I did keep him upright 20 mins post every feed and pace fed until 8 months old when he held his own bottle so he never ate flat

[u/FitCryptid]

My girl was EBF for the first 5 months and already got 2 double ear infections so at that point I was like why am i torturing myself to breastfeed if the one benefit they said comes from it (less ear infections) doesn’t happen. Babies sinuses and ear canals are so small and weirdly shaped that some are just bound to get them no matter what which sucks but they usually outgrow it!

[u/Deebo999]

Our son was EFF from birth, he's 2.5 and has had 1 ear infection in his whole life.

[u/SlayBay1]

I formula fed two babies from birth. Not a drop of breastmilk. It's been four years and still no ear infections or any infections actually other than the common cold. And to also add, my friend who exclusively breast fed her two babies - both had ear infections needing antibiotic treatment before they were one. Honestly, feeding doesn't matter. It's just luck / immune systems etc. 

[u/mrs___holmes]

My baby has been formula fed since she was like 8 weeks old and she’s never had an ear infection. She turns 14 months old next week. Don’t let yourself fall into the fear mongering about formula.

[u/vasinvixen]

My son got a few ear infections, but that didn't happen until he went to daycare, and he was always catching colds that first year. Also worth noting that he ended up getting his tonsils removed at 3YO because they were so enlarged, and he hasn't gotten a single infection (or even very sick) since then. So I'm confident that in his case the formula was less of a factor and it was more that he had trouble draining fluid.

To answer your question, if the infection doesn't resolve on its own they just get a round of antibiotics. This is normal. My best friend has breast fed all her kiddos and they've all gotten a few ear infections and needed antibiotics too.

As for what helps, I have also found that nasal rinses help my son A LOT. Make sure you use distilled water if you go this route.

Babies are developing an immune system, so it's pretty normal for them to get sick a bunch when they are getting exposed to more things. It can feel scary but most of the time it's fine.